Sourcing galvannealed steel coils from China
The supplied tariff snapshot shows 50% duty across the relevant zinc-coated lines, with 27.90% residual anti-dumping on specified chemical definitions. Classify galvannealed coils by coating, chemistry and processing, rather than the supplier's trade name. Cambridge China Bridge sources galvannealed steel coils.
Duty and classification for galvannealed coils
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 7210 covers coated iron or non-alloy steel flat-rolled products of a width of 600 mm or more. Galvannealed coil has a zinc-iron alloy coating produced by heat treatment after galvanising. The non-corrugated zinc-coated lines are the starting point for classification; the corrugated comparison row applies only if the goods have undergone that processing.
The supplied snapshot records 50% third-country duty on these rows. Lines 7210 49 00 20 and 7210 49 00 30 also show 27.90% residual anti-dumping; the other selected rows show none. No countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control is recorded for these rows. Do not assume the older guide's quota treatment applies: ask your broker to check the live declaration position and any producer-specific rate.
Give your broker the mill certificate, coating description, chemical analysis, passivation details and processing history to confirm the commodity code. A trade name alone does not settle the line. See the prepainted steel coil guide for the wider coated-steel context and UK import duty and VAT for the calculation method.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-corrugated zinc-coated coil meeting the aluminium-killed chemical definition | 7210 49 00 20 | 50% | 27.90% residual anti-dumping |
| Non-corrugated hot-dip zinc-coated coil meeting the listed chemical definition | 7210 49 00 30 | 50% | 27.90% residual anti-dumping |
| Other non-corrugated zinc-coated steel | 7210 49 00 90 | 50% | None |
| Other corrugated zinc-coated steel, if supplied after corrugation | 7210 41 00 90 | 50% | None |
Specify the zinc-iron coating and forming behaviour
Specify galvannealed rather than ordinary galvanised coil. Agree the substrate grade, thickness and width tolerances, coating mass per side, coating iron content, surface finish, oiling or passivation, coil weight and inner diameter. Ask the mill to identify the coating designation and heat-treatment route in its certificate.
Approve samples through your intended pressing, bending, welding and painting process. Agree acceptance criteria for coating powdering, flaking and paint adhesion before production. Request the composition of passivation and surface treatments: REACH restrictions can limit or ban substances or set conditions on their manufacture, sale or use.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 20 tonnes of galvannealed coil; illustrative order, subject to classification under 7210 49 00 90, invoiced at £18,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £20,000. Duty at 50% is £10,000. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £30,000, so it is £6,000. Import taxes total £16,000; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £10,000 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Traceability: match coil labels to mill certificates, grade, chemical analysis, coating description and mechanical results. Official guidance says traders should be prepared to provide documentary evidence of the goods' supply chain.
Dimensions: measure thickness and width against the agreed tolerances; check edges, flatness, winding and the coil bore against your handling equipment.
Coating: check coating mass and iron content against the specification; inspect for bare patches, rust and scratches, then trial forming for powdering or flaking.
Packing: check moisture protection, edge guards, strapping and coil identification before dispatch and on arrival. Use an agreed sampling brief from the quality inspection guide.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
Ordinary galvanised coil is supplied against a galvannealed order, or the coating behaves differently from the approved sample during pressing. Excessive powdering, flaking, inconsistent oiling and moisture damage can make an apparently acceptable coil unsuitable for your process.
Classification also fails when the invoice says only galvanised steel and the certificate omits coating or chemistry details. Resolve the line and applicable duty before committing, and retain the approved sample and inspection results to support any rejection.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For repeat volumes, see container programmes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on galvannealed coils from China?
The supplied snapshot records 50% on the relevant zinc-coated lines. Lines 7210 49 00 20 and 7210 49 00 30 also carry 27.90% residual anti-dumping. Confirm the exact line and producer position.
Is galvannealed coil the same as galvanised coil?
Galvannealed coil undergoes heat treatment after galvanising to form a zinc-iron alloy coating. Specify that coating explicitly and approve a sample in your production process.
What should the mill certificate show?
Request the substrate grade, chemical analysis, mechanical results, coating designation, coating mass and iron content, with coil identification matching the goods.
How do I check whether the coating will flake?
Trial representative samples with your intended bend or press operation. Agree limits for powdering and flaking, then compare production samples with the approved material.